Still Wondering Why You Need Security Software?

STILL WONDERING WHY YOU NEED SECURITY SOFTWARE? – Another reminder of “watch what you say” and “guard your identity” comes from execs at Facebook who have revealed that the media site has been hacked; a month ago. According to the news release, “no sensitive information was taken and users need not be concerned.”

Well, I find that very comforting, don’t you? Facebook at its best has given us a way to share with friends and family across the country and around the world. It has allowed us to “friend” and get to know people we will probably never meet. We have shared our lives including family photos, and complained about everybody from our parents to the neighbors. We’ve ganged up on each other and supported a cause by hitting “like” or “share,” but don’t worry; the hackers didn’t care about any of that.

Facebook has provided entertainment through a variety of games and given us the added option to hand over credit information to progress even further in a game. Why, messages can even be sent to people we don’t know for a dollar, conveniently using a credit card or a PayPal account.

According to this statement by Facebook, “The vast majority of the time, we are successful in preventing harm before it happens, and our security team works to quickly and effectively investigate and stop abuse.”

Facebook is not the first to experience an attack such as this. From the beginning of computers, hackers have been intrigued with security systems and how to breach them. It takes a mental skill and diligence that many of us do not possess to be able to infiltrate the elaborate systems in place today.

Mark Zuckerberg has been quoted saying that “The word `hacker’ has an unfairly negative connotation from being portrayed in the media as people who break into computers. In reality, hacking just means building something quickly or testing the boundaries of what can be done.”

While that may be true, Mr. Zuckerberg, we have no other term for what we currently call “hackers” and until we do, your definition leaves little comfort knowing that so much personal information is a click away from possibly being in the wrong hands. Not all hackers are hacking for the thrill, they are looking for a way to make some quick cash and sites like Facebook, Twitter and E-Bay are ripe for the picking.

As user and consumers, we seem to throw all caution to the wind when we are involved with the Internet and many people still refuse to take the basic step of enrolling in an on-line security site, such as McAfee, Panda or Chrome. These security companies are not foolproof, but they do provide a measure of protection with warnings and frequent scans.

Let’s face facts: The world is now available with just a few clicks of the keys and like it or not, every time you turn on your computer you are inviting the world into your life, the whole world; the good, the bad and the ugly. Even this common phrase recognizes that it is two against one.

Be smart and don’t take unnecessary risks, when it comes to your computer safety there are three things a security provider will do for you:

¤ Constant scanning of your hard drive- Not only will this keep your personal information safe and secure but also your PC should run faster and smoother once any problems are resolved.

¤ Updates with the latest information- One of the great things about utilizing an Internet security software program are the constant updates. With so many new spy ware threats emerging each day, it’s critical that your software evolves and grows alongside these malicious threats.

¤ Warnings and alerts- While clicking away we may not be paying attention to sites we are visiting, but the security program will alert you of dangerous or questionable sites. This is an invaluable tool particularly with students in the home who may be doing research.

If you need further convincing about the benefits of a security system, there are several articles covering the topic of the Internet available here for you to read and I encourage you to do so. They may open your eyes a bit wider.